Portable ironer and stand combination



April 1, 1952 J- J. GETGEY 2,591,656

PORTABLE IRONER AND STAND COMBINATION Filed May a, 1948 2 SHEETSSHEET 1 IN V EN TOR.

April 1, 1952 J. J. GETGEY PORTABLE IRONER AND STAND COMBINATION 2 SHEETS-SHEET Filed May 6, 1948 1 I INVENTOR.

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patented Apr. 1, 1952 PORTABLE IRONER AND STAND COMBINATION John J. Getgey, Cincinnati, Ohio, assignor to Em- 1 pirc Ironer, Inc., Cincinnati, Ohio, a corporation of Ohio Application May 6, 1948, Serial No. 25,363

2 Claims. ((31. 248-13) This invention relates to ironing machines of the roll type and is particularly directed to an improved stand and ironer base which permits the ironing machine readily to be shifted relative to the stand to obtain the most convenient and efficient operating position. That part of this disclosure which is directed to an ironer stand having an extensible tray mounted therein is the subject of a divisional application filed October 17, 1949, and identified by Ser. No. 121,853.

Ironing machines of this type are primarily for household use and constitute in general a base having a power driven roll mounted thereon. A heated shoe cooperates with the roll in such mannerthat the work is pressed between the roll and shoe as the roll rotates. The shoe usualy is disposed to the rear of the roll and is arranged to be swung relative to the roll by means of an actuating lever extending to the front of the machine for convenient operation by the user.

Ironing machines of this kind are furnished either as portable machines which may be placed,

on a table or other convenient stand or as nonportable units in which the stand forms a part of the assembly. The present stand and ironer base are designed primarily for use'in conjunction with the ironing machines of the portable type as disclosed in my co-pending application, Serial No. 742,018 and in the Stilwell Patent No. 2,362,322.

When ironing certain kinds of work such as ruflled curtains, the operator finds it more convenient and comfortable to sit near the free end of the roller. In this position she is able more accurately to guide the work relative to the roll to. avoid ironing the milled edge. When the machine is of the portable type, placed upon fairly large table, the operator is 'free to shift her chair toward the end of the roll to attain the best operating position. However, in the case of ironer units having a'stand attached, the stand is usually compact and the operator i confined to a fixed position as governed by the space between the legs of the stand. Thus she is not free to shift her chair relative to the roll to adapther position to the particular work being performed.

It has been a primary object of the invention to provide a compact stand and ironing machine so interrelated that the ironer may be shifted longitudinally in a convenient manner relative to the stand to obtain the most convenient operating position as determined by the class of work being performed.

Ithas been another object to provide an improved ironer base having anti-friction support means for ease in adjustment and arranged relative to a stand whereby the ironer is guided but may be shifted in a convenient manner by the operator.

A further object has been to provide an ironer stand arranged to establish a detachable engagement which permits removal of the ironer for use as a portable-machine. r

Further objects and advantages of the inven tion will be more fully apparent from a descrip' tion of the accompanying drawing in which:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of the ironer stand withthe ironing machine in position for use and the tray in its extended position.

Figure 2 is a perspective view showing the ironing machine removed from the stand and the tray inverted on the top of the stand to convert it into a service table.

Figure 3 is a longitudinal sectional view taken on line 3-3, Figure 1.

Figure 4 is a sectional view similar to Figure 3, illustrating the operation of adjusting the ironer relative to the stand.

Figure 5 is a cross section taken on line.5-5,

Figure 4 further detailing the structure of the ironer base and stand.

Described generally with'reference to Figure 1', the ironing machine constitutes a base generally indicated at 10, having a cantilever arm ll upon which is rotatably mounted a power driven ironer roll l2. A heated ironer shoe i3 is disposed to the rear of the roll and is operated by the actuating lever I 4 extending forwardly alongside the arm Ii. Flat guide plates l5, formed of flexible steel,- extend from the lower edge of the shoe-l3 to the base In to guidethe work as it passes downwardly between the shoe and roller. The ironer assembly'generally follows the construction disclosed in the aforesaid prior patent and co-pending application and therefore need not be described in detail.

The ironer stand, generally indicated at It. constitutes a leg structurehaving a fiat sheet metal top panel 17. The leg structure is fab ricated preferably from a continuous length of tubing bent to form a standard having four legs which are joined at top and bottom by connecting portions.

Described in detail, the leg structure consists of a rearward portion 20 and a forward portion 2|. The rearward portion is U-shaped and the upper ends of the vertical legs of the U are bent laterally to form forwardly extending portions 22-42. These extend horizontally to provide accuse supports for the opposite ends of panel l'l, then turn downwardly to form the vertical legs of the forward U-shaped portion 2 l. The forward portion 2! of the stand is of substantially the same shape as the rearward portion except that its lower connecting portion 23 is placed rearwardly by the lateral extensions 2d2ll. This arrangement forms an uninterrupted inset to provide leg room for the operator and to permit a chair conveniently to be slipped in place. The stand may be formed from commercially available tubing of standard diameter and may be plated, buffedand polished to present a neat and trim appearance.

The top of the stand is formed from a sheet metal stamping of suitable gauge preferably finished in enamel, porcelain or other material of appropriate color. As illustrated in Figures 3 and i, the opposite transverse ends of the top panel are bent downwardly to form semi-circular flanges 25-45, the inside diameters of which correspond to the outside diameter of the stand tubing. These flanges are disposed to the inside of the connecting portions 22-22 of the stand and are secured in place by means of screws and nuts 26. The opposite longitudinal edges of the top panel 11 are curled upwardly to form inwardly curved, semi-circular flanges 2'l2'i (Figure 5), to provide a retainer for the ironer base l8 and to stiffen and reinforce the panel ll.

The base ill of the ironer, which also is oi sheet metal, is provided with downwardly curved marginal edges 2S28. A binding strip or bead 29 is applied to the lower" edge of flange 28 extending completely around the base. Binding 29 is formed of rubber, synthetic rubber or plastic material having the physical characteristics of rubber. It includes a slot 38 to receive the edge of flange 28, the binding strip being slipped upon the flange and frictionally engaged thereon.

As shown in Figure 5, the base HI includes a longitudinal channel 3| which serves as a stifiener to prevent distortion 'of the base. Channel 3| is secured by screws 32, one of which ties the end of the channel to arm H. A cross plate 33, extending crosswise of the base, is secured to the opposite end of channel 3! by the other screw 32 which passes through the cross plate and channel to fasten them to the base.

Cross plate 3-3 further includes upwardly bent flanges 35-34 to stiffen and reinforce the cross plate and to locate it relative to the channel 3}. As shown, a pair of ball bearing units 35 is located at opposite ends of cross plate 33. Each unit constitu'tesa cylindrical ball retaining block 36 having a semi-circular recess to receive the load bearing ball 37. The ball and recess are highly finished as by grinding and polishing so as to reduce friction to permit the ball to rotate freely. In order to confine the ball in the block, the lower edge of the block extends slightly below the center of the ball. The ball is placed in the recess andthis portion is crimped suiiiciently to confine the ball but not with sufilcient tightness to bind itagainst rotation. The ball retaining blocks 36 are mounted in apertures 38 formed in cross plate 33. They are secured either by a press fit or by spot welding.

As viewed in Figures 3 and 4, the balls are located toward the left hand end of the base. Normally therefore the ironer assembly rests upon the. balls 3'! at one end and upon binding 29'at its bppo's'ite end in a slightly inclined plane relative to the top panel H. The binding thus frictionally engages the base and prevents endwise movement of the ironer. When it is desired to shift the ironer, the right hand end of the base is lifted as shown in Figure 4, thus supporting one end of the assembly upon the spaced balls 31-37. It can then easily be slipped outwardly to an extended position with the end of the roll l2 near the center of the stand for comfort and efficiency in performing special ironing jobs. Upon releasing the base It, the binding 25 will reestablish a frictional engagement to hold the ironer assembly against accidental displacement. lt will be apparent therefore that the ironer is free to be shifted to any desired position within its range of movement and will automatically be held against displacement upon release. The curled flanges 2l--2'l prevent accidental displacement of the ironer since these edges extend around and beyond the binding thus serving telescopically to retain the assembly in position upon the top panel ii. If desired, the ironer may be removed from the stand by slipping it endwise out of engagement with the retaining flanges 22.

In addition to providing a shiftable mounting for the ironer, the stand further includes an extensible tray til for use in conjunction with the ironer. This tray is formed of sheet metal and occupies a position immediately beneath top panel H. [is shown in Figure 5 the tray includes a marginal stiffening flange GI and is maintained in drawer fashion between the end flanges 25-25. For this purpose the end flanges include a straight flange :2 serving as a connector between the flange 25 and the top panel. The tray All has its endwise portions telescopically confined between the top panel and flanges 25 and may conveniently be shifted to extended or retracted position as required. The end flanges 25 thus serve as mounting means for the top panel and provide also a guideway for slidably maintaining the tray 4G in position. By virtue of its engagement in the groove formed between the top panel Ill and semi-circular flange 25, the tray is maintained in a horizontal plane in its extended position. The tray is shown in extended position in Figure l, and is shown retracted in Figure 5 with its relative extended position shown in broken lines.

The tray ts is designed to provide a surface upon which to fold the ironed work pieces or it may be used to catch the work directly as it emerges from the roller, When ironing la fe'er pieces, such as curtains, drapes and the like which are not to be folded, the tray is slipped to its retracted position so as not to interfere with the work as it feeds from the roll.

As shown in Figure 2 the tray may be withdrawn completely and placed in an inverted position upon the top panel H, with the ironer removed so as to provide a service table. This table serves as a convenient utility table for many uses about the household.

By virtue of the slidable mounting of the ironer relative to the stand, the ironer is free to be adjusted to bring the end of the roll to the most eiiicient and comfortable operating position. Thus when doing ruffled curtains and other special work the end of the roll may be in front of the user and when doing ordinary Work the roll may be centered in front of the user. The load bearing balls 37 are so arranged and located so that the operation of lifting the end of the base and shifting the assembly can be accomplished with a minimum of effort. The frictional engagement of the binding strip 29 eifectively holds the ironer in its selected position and the curled side edges 2'! of the top panel guides the ironer longitudinally and. prevents accidental displacement either during service or in shifting. The improved structure is exceedingly simple and inexpensive of fabrication and provides a convenient and readily adjustable assembly. The adjustability of the ironer makes possible the ,use of asmall compact stand to conserve floor space. At the same time it provides substantially the same eificiency and comfort obtained by the use of the larger tables and stands.

The inset arrangement at the bottom of stand l6, as previously noted, provides a clear space in which to slide a chair without interference. A further advantage of this shape is that the entire assembly may be carried by one person because of the clearance so provided. By reason of light weight construction the unit may be picked up and carried under one arm by the average houseformed of sheet metal having a downwardly a curved marginal edge, a beading formed of pliable material engaged upon said marginal edge, the top panel being longer than the base but of. such width that when the ironer base is resting upon it the semi-circular flanges at the respective sides thereof loosely embrace the downwardly curved marginal edge and beading at opposite 'sides of the base, means near one end of the base to provide anti-friction contact between that end of the base and the panel, and the 6 other end of the base adapted to be raised out of engagement with said panel within the limits permitted by the semi-circular flanges whereby said base may be slid longitudinally of the panel upon said anti-friction means.

2. In an ironing machine, the combination of an ironer base and an ironer stand comprising an elongated support frame, a top panel mounted upon said frame, said top panel formed of sheet metal having opposite side edges curled upwardly and inwardly to form semi-circular flanges which define a guideway extending longitudinally of the panel, opposite end edges of the panel turned downwardly and secured to said frame leaving the ends of---the guideway unobstructed, said ironer base formed of sheet metal having a downwardly curved marginal edge, the top panel being of such width that when the ironer base is resting upon it'the semi-circular flanges at. the respective sides thereof loosely embrace the downwardly curved marginal edge of the base at the respective sides thereof, antifriction means near one end of said base adapted to slidably support that end of the base out of contact with the panel, the opposite end of the base being adapted to rest upon said panel, and said opposite end of the base being adapted to be raised out of engagement with said panel within the limits permitted by the semi-circular flanges whereby said base may be slid longitudinally of the panel upon said anti-friction means.

JOHN J. GETGEY.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,851,131 Rawley Mar. 29, 1932 2,311,928 Buehler Feb. 23, 1943 2,314,173 Sperlich Mar. 16, 1943 2,317,934 Maurey Apr. 27, 1943 2,348,043 Webb et al May 2, 1944 

